Friday morning news: August 18, 2023

Japan-SoKo summit » President Biden is hosting high-stakes diplomatic talks today with Japan and South Korea at the Camp David presidential retreat.

Christopher Johnstone with the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains.

JOHNSTONE: This is a relationship that’s fraught with issues left over from history, political difficulties. And yet, it’s a critical relationship.

Despite their past differences, both nations are key U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region. And they have something else in common: They both recognize the threat from Beijing.

JOHNSTONE: China’s growing influence, its behavior across the region is a challenge for all three countries, and there’s a benefit to cooperating.

China is likely to be a key topic of the talks between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Hawaii » While the flames are no longer burning in the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui, the nightmare is far from over for residents.

Brad Kieserman with the American Red Cross told reporters on Thursday:

KIESERMAN: My organization has been at every major disaster in the United States for as long as it’s existed. I have been at every major disaster in the United States for the last decade. This is unprecedented.

The shells of burned out cars now line the streets. And scattered, hollowed out cinder block structures are the only clues as to where homes and businesses once stood.

Mental health professionals are providing grief counseling and treating many for post-traumatic stress disorder. 

More than a hundred people are confirmed dead with as many as a thousand residents still missing.

Terrorist plea» The accused mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks and four co-defendants may escape the death penalty under a new plea agreement. WORLD’s Lauren Canterberry has more.

LAUREN CANTERBERRY: Some relatives of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks received letters this week, notifying them that a plea deal with the terror suspects could take the death penalty off the table.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the suspected architect of the 2001 attacks is among the five defendants who’ve been jailed at Guantanamo Bay since 2006.

Legal disputes over their interrogations while in CIA custody have caused multiple delays a trial date has not been set.

For WORLD, I’m Lauren Canterberry.

Pakistan churches » Pakistani Christians have taken to the streets in protest after a mob destroyed dozens of churches and homes over rumors that someone had desecrated a Quran.

SOUND: [Pakistani protesters chanting]

Reverend Frederick John called on the Pakistani government:

JOHN: to take strong measures to stop and eliminate terrorizing and hurting activities towards the minorities in the name of religion.

Footage shows Muslim rioters destroying buildings with sledgehammers and setting them on fire.

Pakistani authorities say they arrested nearly 130 people.

China nukes » The Pentagon says China continues to build up its nuclear arsenal amid growing tensions with the United States. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more:

JOSH SCHUMACHER: The Defense Department says Beijing is showing no signs of slowing down its drive to ramp up both its conventional and nuclear forces.

The communist government is reportedly working to diversify its launch capabilities, allowing it to launch missiles from the air, land, and sea.

Publicly, China claims it is keeping its nuclear arsenal at the minimum level necessary, and it is not engaged in an arms race.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Walmart earnings » One day after Target reported its first quarterly earnings drop in six years, Walmart on Thursday reported another strong sales gain.

Target pointed to economic factors as the reason for the downturn, rather than a boycott over its LGBT activism.

But Walmart reported a 6% growth in sales for the same period in which Target saw a 5% decrease.

Analysts do point out that Walmart is better positioned than most competitors to benefit as shoppers grow more cost-conscious amid high inflation.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Culture Friday with John Stonestreet. Plus, Supercars and superbugs on the big screen.

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